Donate to support neonatal lung research
ByBoet is raising awareness and vital funds to support neonatal lung research at Murdoch Children’s Research Institute
Globally 15 million babies are born prematurely each year with 1 million not surviving. The greatest cause of illness for these infants is respiratory disease. Almost 75% of infants born before 32 weeks’ gestation receive intensive assisted respiratory support.
Ventilation of the underdeveloped lung is a double-edged sword - necessary for survival but risks long-term injury to the lungs. Despite 40 years of advances in respiratory support, many preterm infants develop early lung injury that eventually leads to chronic lung disease into adult life.
Driving critical research
ByBoet is raising funds to support Murdoch Children’s research into developing new ways to diagnose preterm lung injury with a focus on improving the quality of life and life expectancy of preterm babies.
ByBoet was founded by Marijn Mees and Joris Steeman in honour of their son Boet who was born prematurely at 27+3 weeks, weighing only 689 grams. Although a fighter and full of determination, Boet sadly lost his battle, after 8 ½ months in hospital, on 1 September 2019.
A team of researchers at MCRI and clinicians at the Royal Children’s Hospital are working towards re-evaluating how early preterm respiratory disease is defined, identified, and managed with the hope this is the first step in dramatically improving the care delivered to pre-term children with respiratory complications, not just here in Melbourne but around the world.
How you can help
Donate today and help our dedicated researchers and clinicians continue their ground-breaking work into neonatal lung disease, and help find the answers needed to change the future for our children like Boet.
You can also support our research by taking part in ByBoet’s annual Superhero Dress-up Day. ByBoet is inviting schools and childcare centres to participate in their annual Superhero Dress-up Day. Set up as a gold coin fundraiser, it’s an easy and fun way for children, parents, carers, teachers, schools and childcare centres to get involved and help raise awareness and much needed funds to support our littlest superheros. Find out more about how to become a superhero or get your school involved by visiting the ByBoet website.
MCRI is the most influential child-health research institute in Australia and one of the top three worldwide. The team of more than 1400 talented researchers work tirelessly to tackle chronic illnesses that affect children and their families.
Together, we are changing the future of child-health and the future looks brighter for all kids who deserve a healthy, happy and fulfilled life.
Thank you for supporting Murdoch Children's Research Institute.
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